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Egypt urged to release Sinai detainees

An Egyptian rights group has called on the government to free more than 3000 detainees arrested after the October bombings of two Sinai resorts which killed 34 people.

20 Nov 2004 22:44 GMT

The Taba blast killed 34 and wounded 105

"The Human Rights Association for Assistance to Prisoners appeals to Interior Minister Habib al-Adli to free all the Sinai detainees, particularly as the ministry has already announced the arrest of those responsible for the Taba bombing," a statement said on Saturday.

"Despite the HRAAP's complete rejection of terrorism and the criminal attacks in Taba, that cannot justify the detention of such a large number of citizens," it said, adding that anywhere between 3000 and 5000 were still being held in what it described as dangerous conditions.

"The HRAAP is worried by testimony from released prisoners indicating that both they and their families were subjected to torture by the security services," it added.

The Taba blasts killed 34 people and wounded 105. The bombings resulted in numerous mass arrests and the detention of dozens of beduin tribesmen.